Congrats!

Congratulations again to Zarin Mehta, who was presented with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)’s Outstanding Achievement Award.

“There weren’t that many experienced people … so I took it to see if I could train somebody. I trained myself.”

Zarin Mehta, who was presented with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)’s Outstanding Achievement Award last night, discusses his shift from accounting to Executive Director of the Montreal Symphony and reflects on his long and varied career, which began in accounting in London in 1955 and will conclude this season, his final as President & Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic.

Standing Ovations and Rave Reviews

The end of the EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour garnished the following praise for Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic:

“Splendid and captivating from beginning to end.” — Trouw, Amsterdam

“The overall meaty orchestral sound was … used to full advantage.” — NRC Handelsblad, Amsterdam

“As for the orchestra, its sound as always took one’s breath away.… On the level of aural finesse Gilbert and the orchestra were superb.” — The Telegraph, London

“In the Sixties, that other New Yorker Leonard Bernstein … made [Mahler Ninth Symphony’s] neuroses his own. And I don’t think I’ve heard it since played with such fierce intensity as Bernstein brought to it until last night.” — London Evening Standard

“This was a finely realized performance [of Thomas Adès’s Polaris], the work’s intricate detail as focused as its clean-edged outline…. Their account of the second suite from Daphnis and Chloé was little short of sensational in its combination of precision and sweep.” — Guardian, London

“After three nights of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, it’s time to go on the wagon. My ears are saturated, and the emotional stimulus has been intoxicating, like walking down Fifth Avenue on a sunny morning.” — The Telegraph, London

A Triumphant Tour

Hop on board the Virtual Tour — the final installment of the EUROPE / WINTER 2012  — and experience the tour’s triumphant final stop in London, which included performances at the Barbican Centre featuring Joyce DiDonato, Lang Lang, and Frank Peter Zimmermann, and a Young People’s Concert with Jamie Bernstein.

“After three nights of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, it’s time to go on the wagon. My ears are saturated, and the emotional stimulus has been intoxicating, like walking down Fifth Avenue on a sunny morning.”

— The Telegraph on Alan Gilbert and the Philharmonic’s recent appearances at London’s Barbican Centre during the EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour. Music Director and Orchestra bring their triumphant tour home to New York this week with the program they performed in London, featuring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

“The EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour introduces … the Philharmonic’s inaugural International Associates residency with the Barbican Centre, and I look forward to seeing Alan Gilbert and the musicians create a meaningful exchange with the people of London through their artistic leadership and outreach.” —  Zarin Mehta

During the Philharmonic’s first International Associates residency in London, Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow, Principal Cello Carter Brey, Principal Trumpet Philip Smith, Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and Principal Percussion (and recent Grammy winner) Christopher S. Lamb shared their expertise and wisdom with music students through master classes held at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the Barbican Centre.  

The Amsterdam to London Express

The Philharmonic has arrived in London, its last stop on the EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour, for three action-packed days that will include four concerts, a chamber performance at Winfield House, and numerous educational activites as part of its International Associates residency at the Barbican Centre. The latest installment of the Virtual Tour will take you there.

“My siblings and I have often thought that in a way, our dad was writing the Young People’s Concerts to us.”

An interview with Jamie Bernstein aired yesterday on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, a popular arts and music show in the UK. Ms. Bernstein discusses her unique childhood as the daughter of legendary Leonard Bernstein, and anticipates the upcoming Young People’s Concert at London’s Barbican Centre, which she co-hosts with Music Director Alan Gilbert, on the Philharmonic’s last stop on the EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour. The show also features the music of Leonard Bernstein, chosen by Ms. Bernstein.

“ There are a lot of things that go into conducting, which is what makes it fascinating, because it challenges every capacity that you have. ”

— Music Director Alan Gilbert in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Front Row — the most prestigious arts show in the UK — discussing the principles that every young conductor needs to know. Among other things, he talks about growing up as the son of two Philharmonic musicians and the qualities of a successful leader.

To our friends in the UK: tonight’s concert at the Barbican Centre will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 —  be sure to tune in.